Dozens of protesters burned an effigy of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha outside Jammu’s Lok Bhavan on December 27, 2025, demanding revocation of the MBBS admission list at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Reasi, citing alleged irregularities favouring non-locals.
The demonstration erupted around noon on Saturday, drawing 50-70 angry locals to the gates of Lok Bhavan, the Lieutenant Governor’s office in Jammu.
Organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti-a fresh alliance of right-wing outfits like Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, and local youth forums-the crowd chanted “LG go back” and “Justice for local students.”
At the peak, they set ablaze a large effigy of Manoj Sinha, amid thick black smoke and rhythmic drumbeats, symbolising their rejection of what they call a “betrayal of regional merit.”
Eyewitnesses described a charged yet contained atmosphere: placards reading “Scrap the list, save our future” waved high, while women and students led many slogans.
The protest lasted nearly 45 minutes before Jammu police, deployed in riot gear, gently ushered the group away using mild barriers-no lathi charges or tear gas were needed, and zero injuries or arrests occurred.
Samiti convenor Rajesh Sharma, a Katra-based activist, addressed the media: “Over 40% of the 100 MBBS seats at the institute went to outsiders through backdoor quotas. Our children, who topped entrance exams, languish at home. We demand a full cancellation and fresh merit-based list.”
Official Response: Calm Urged Amid Probe Promise
Administration officials moved swiftly to defuse tensions. A senior spokesperson from the Lieutenant Governor’s office stated, “We understand the protesters’ concerns and have directed the institute’s principal to conduct an urgent audit of the admissions process, involving independent observers.
Transparency is paramount; no seat will stand if irregularities are found.” Reasi District Magistrate Vikram Singh added, “The government values local aspirations but urges peaceful channels-dialogue with student bodies is scheduled for Monday. Violence solves nothing.”
Data from the institute reveals the flashpoint: of 100 first-year MBBS seats, 42 were allocated under non-local categories post the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, sparking claims of quota misuse.
Protesters highlighted cases like that of Priya Devi, a 22-year-old from Katra who scored 92% in NEET but missed a seat to a lower-ranked candidate from outside the region. “My family sold land for coaching; now dreams dashed,” she shared tearfully.
Deep Roots in Quota Wars and Educational Inequity
This flare-up traces back decades but intensified after Article 370’s abrogation in 2019, which opened Jammu and Kashmir to broader reservation frameworks.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), established in 2022 in Katra as a premier facility with 100 seats annually, promised regional upliftment. Yet locals argue its policies mirror mainland India’s, diluting the 50% open merit quota meant for Jammu division aspirants.
Preceding unrest peaked last month when 200 students blockaded the Katra campus for three days, forcing a temporary suspension of classes. The Sangharsh Samiti coalesced on December 13 amid social media campaigns alleging “Delhi’s remote control” over local opportunities.
Historical parallels abound: similar agitations rocked the region in 2023 over engineering seats at Government Medical College Jammu, leading to a high-level committee that recommended 65% local reservation-yet implementation lags.
Broader context underscores the stakes. Jammu and Kashmir’s youth unemployment hovers at 18.2% (per 2025 NSSO data), with medical education a golden ticket amid limited jobs.
Critics like PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti tweeted support: “Legitimate grievances; effigies aside, amplify voices through ballots.” Meanwhile, the institute defends its process: “Admissions followed AIQ norms set by the National Medical Commission, ensuring national equity.”
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we champion peace, empathy, and constructive dialogue over fiery symbols that deepen rifts in an already fragile Jammu and Kashmir.
Admissions disputes demand sunlight-thorough probes, stakeholder consultations, and policies blending merit with equity to honour local sacrifices while embracing coexistence.
Burning effigies may vent anger, but harmony blooms through kindness: inclusive reforms uniting students, officials, and communities for shared progress.
